Alf not alone in stand on bin

Householders' Options to Protecting the Environment (HOPE) convenor Frank Ondrus said several members of his group also had no use for a recyclables bin.

"They take glass jars to St Vincent de Paul and recycle the rest of their rubbish themselves."

He and his wife, Mary, recycle and compost all their greenwaste.

Meanwhile, Mr Wiemers is taking Toowoomba City Council on head-on ? demanding his unwanted extra bin be taken away. Mr Ondrus says he has fielded many calls about the new three-bin system which comes in on July 1.

Council's Environment and Heritage chair, Sue Englart, is amazed.

"I thought the members of HOPE would see this as a plus to their ends ? that's what they are supposed to be about ? protecting the environment," she said.

She said the second bin, which eventuated after public consultation, was now part of the new waste-disposal contract.

"It costs 50c a week extra and you can ensure your recyclables are processed and re-used."

She said council cannot make residents use them, but they also cannot make exceptions to the rule.

"We can't differentiate between those honestly recycling and those who can't be bothered," she said.

"It's all about where the rubbish ends up ? we can't keep digging holes to bury rubbish."